Eng threaten to sue Pak cricket board

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering suing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following PCB president Ijaz Butt’s allegation that there was a conspiracy in England “to defraud Pakistan,” even as the beleaguered Butt claimed he had been misunderstood. HT reports.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering suing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following PCB president Ijaz Butt’s allegation that there was a conspiracy in England “to defraud Pakistan,” even as the beleaguered Butt claimed he had been misunderstood.

Rocked by allegations of spot-fixing that saw three of its players being sent home, the Pakistani cricket team is still continuing its England tour.

In a TV interview, Butt also insinuated that England’s cricketers had deliberately thrown their third one-dayer against Pakistan on Saturday, which they lost by 23 runs. “There is loud and clear talk in bookies’ circles that some English players were paid enormous amounts of money to lose,” he said.

“We would like to express our surprise, dismay and outrage at the comments by Mr Butt,” Andrew Strauss, the England captain said. “We refute these allegations completely and will be working closely with the ECB to explore all legal options.”

The ECB said Butt’s statements were “wholly irresponsible and completely without foundation” but insisted the tour would go on as scheduled.

On Monday, however, Butt denied he had accused England’s players. “If you listen to the full tape of the interview, I said the bookies are saying this. I am not saying this,” he said.